Reviews several studies of prereferral intervention models and their effects on such variables as referral rates, student achievement and behavior, and student and parent satisfaction. Some models involved collaboration among teachers, and others involved formal consultation between teachers and specialists. Research to date has been more…

Investigated how family processes influence high school student dropout behavior. Used a sample of 114 dropouts from 1 California high school, 48 of whom were matched to similarly profiled continuing students. Identified factors that explain students' dropout decisions: permissive parenting, negative parental reactions to grades, excessive…

A study found college honors (n=231) and nonhonors (n=709) first-year students were similar in extracurricular interests, educational objectives, and some study habits; they reported differences in most other areas. Findings have implications for advising both groups, such as placement of emphasis on format of academic courses, orientation to…

Develops a sociology of school establishments by examining 20 French colleges from 1981-86 (roughly equivalent to U.S. junior high schools and the end of French compulsory schooling). Examines prospects of meeting French government's goal of 80 percent of students completing secondary education through clarification of school identity, stronger…

Reports on a study of two secondary teachers who used the practical reasoning or practical argument approach to classroom management. Finds that practical argument techniques can benefit teachers by providing opportunities to question and revise their theories of learning and teaching. Recommends that teacher education programs employ the…

The diagnostic-prescriptive approach to teaching clinically focuses directly on the student. The diagnosis and identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each student, both cognitive and emotional structure, establishes the teaching prescription of instruction. The changed behavior of each student in thinking, feeling, and activity is the…

By adopting interactive methods and being sensitive to students' concerns, teachers can minimize uncivil behavior, even in large classes. Solutions found helpful by a number of faculty members focus on several issues, including setting clear expectations, addressing majority needs and rights, taking a proactive approach, and personalizing large…

Most effective schools share a number of key characteristics, including clear-cut goals and objectives, adequate funding and financial management, quality academic programs, valid assessment programs, parent and family involvement, teacher and staff development, high expectations for students, community involvement, comprehensive support services,…

Details various ways music teachers can provide children with the emotional resources to rescue and heal themselves. Primary among these is the establishment of trust. Recommends modeling stability, consistency, benevolence, flexibility, and a healthy perspective. Discusses the challenges and problems of being a surrogate parent. (MJP)

A middle school English teacher suspected that her own personality and demeanor gave students permission to act out. Student surveys examined how her demeanor affected students and what rewards and punishments were appropriate. Results indicated that, though she was not sending mixed messages, her students desired consistent, meaningful classroom…

Summarizes Process Communications Management's six basic personality types: feelers, thinkers, believers, dreamers, funsters, and doers, and discusses the implications for teachers. Two keys to reaching all students in the classroom are to meet each student's motivational needs positively and to talk to them in a way in which they can best relate.…

This study assesses the predictive validity of the Phelps Kindergarten Readiness Scale (PKRS) for later academic achievement and explores the utility of a domain-specific measure of kindergarten readiness. Kindergarten readiness scores were significantly correlated with both math and language arts achievement as measured by New York State…

Supportive and caring relations within families promote academic achievement and protect against involvement in health-risk behaviors by adolescents. Similarly, supportive and caring relationships within schools (henceforth, school connectedness) promote academic motivation among adolescents. Much less is known, however, about the influence of…

We evaluated the impact of RIPP-7, a seventh grade violence prevention curriculum designed to strengthen and extend the effects of the sixth grade RIPP-6 curriculum. Classes of seventh graders at two urban middle schools serving predominantly African-American youth where RIPP-6 had been implemented the preceding school year were randomized to…

School violence has many faces and many casualties. In varying degrees it touches students, parents, educators and communities of every school world wide. At the local level, communities are seen as playing a significant role in violence prevention. Generally, community-based violence prevention approaches involve the assessment of local problems,…